LWMRJU-Research in Jurisprudence

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: With permission of the Director of PGT in Law. Candidates will usually be enrolled in M Res (Law) or M Res (Law and Society).
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: LW3JUR Jurisprudence
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Aleardo Zanghellini
Email: a.zanghellini@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
Critical analysis of legal theories and different approaches to the study of law as a question of justice and politics.

Aims:
This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to explore various approaches to legal philosophy, to encourage students to question the nature of the phenomenon of law and its significance as a form of social control, and to undertake an extended research paper on an area of their choice.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module it is expected that students will be able to:

• outline and draw upon ongoing debates over the connections between law, morality, society and politics;


• critically evaluate competing theses regarding the question 'what is law?' and articulate coherent arguments (both written and oral) in support of theoretical positions;


• contrast theories regarding the nature of legal reasoning and the disparate social forces acting upon its operation.


• demonstrate an in-depth grasp of the debates and literature in an area of particular interest to them.

Additional outcomes:
This module will also encourage the development of independent learning, as well as communication skills and personal responsibility.

Outline content:
Students will research and write a major essay on a topic to be agreed with the module convenor.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Teaching and learning is in a combination of attendance at classes (in a programme agreed with the module convenor) and regular supervision. Students will be given the opportunity to attend other relevant lectures or seminars in Masters (level 7) or Honours (level 6) modules.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	20	10
Project Supervision	1	1
Guided independent study:	84	84
Total hours by term	105	95
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
15 page essay (formatted in accordance with the School of Law's Assessed Work Rules

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy “Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes”, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
See School of Law PGT Programme Handbook

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 20 September 2023